Airbags for cyclists – BASF-Magazine Creating Chemistry

Until now, cyclists had helmets for protection against head injuries. Airbags were for motorists only. Two Swedish industrial design students decided it was time to change that. They have developed an inflatable cycle helmet called Hövding (“chief” or “head” in English) that is worn around the neck like a scarf. Inbuilt sensors measure the cyclist’s movements 200 times per second. If the sensors detect a fall, the airbag inflates instantly, encloses the head and stabilizes the back of the neck before the cyclist hits the ground. After seven years of experimenting, thousands of simulated cycling accidents and untold calculations the helmet is now available on the market.